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ungewöhnlich

A2 adjective #4,500 most common 11 min read

ungewöhnlich

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips ungewöhnlich in 30 Seconds

Explanation ungewöhnlich in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn how to describe things. 'Ungewöhnlich' might seem like a very long and difficult word, but it is very useful. You can think of it as the opposite of 'normal'. If you see something that is not normal, you can say 'Das ist ungewöhnlich'. For example, if it is very hot in winter, or if a cat is very big. You don't need to worry about the complicated endings yet; just try using it after the word 'ist' (is). 'Das Wetter ist ungewöhnlich.' 'Das Essen ist ungewöhnlich.' This helps you express that something is different or surprising in a simple way. It is a good word to learn because it helps you move away from just saying 'gut' or 'schlecht'. Even at A1, knowing this word makes you sound more advanced because you are noticing details about the world around you. Just remember that it is a long word: un-ge-wöhn-lich. Take it slow!

At the A2 level, you should start using 'ungewöhnlich' to describe people, objects, and situations in more detail. You are now learning about adjective endings, so you can try using 'ungewöhnlich' before a noun. For example, 'ein ungewöhnlicher Tag' (an unusual day) or 'eine ungewöhnliche Idee' (an unusual idea). This word is very common in A2 reading texts, especially when describing a story or a news event. You can also use it to talk about your habits. If you usually drink tea but today you drink coffee, that is 'ungewöhnlich für mich'. It is a neutral word, so it's not always bad. It can just mean that something is new or different. Try to use it when you are talking about your weekend or a trip you took. 'Wir haben ein ungewöhnliches Museum besucht.' This shows you can describe specific experiences. It is also helpful for talking about the weather, which is a big topic at this level.

By B1, you are expected to handle more complex sentence structures. You should be able to use 'ungewöhnlich' as an adverb to modify other adjectives. For instance, 'Das war ein ungewöhnlich langer Film' (That was an unusually long movie). At this level, you can also start to distinguish between 'ungewöhnlich' and its synonyms like 'seltsam' or 'merkwürdig'. You should understand that 'ungewöhnlich' is often more objective. You will hear this word in radio reports or read it in newspapers. It is often used to describe social trends or scientific facts. You can also use it in the comparative and superlative forms: 'Es war einer der ungewöhnlichsten Tage meines Lebens' (It was one of the most unusual days of my life). This level is about precision, and 'ungewöhnlich' allows you to describe deviations from the norm without necessarily adding a personal judgment, which is important for professional and academic contexts.

At the B2 level, 'ungewöhnlich' becomes a tool for more nuanced argumentation and description. You should be comfortable using it in formal contexts, such as business emails or essays. For example, 'Aufgrund ungewöhnlicher Umstände konnten wir das Projekt nicht abschließen' (Due to unusual circumstances, we could not complete the project). You will encounter the word in more abstract discussions, such as talking about 'ungewöhnliche Lösungsansätze' (unusual approaches to solutions). You should also be aware of how the word functions in various registers. In a literary analysis, you might describe an author's 'ungewöhnliche Wortwahl' (unusual choice of words). At this level, you should also be able to use the noun form 'Ungewöhnlichkeit' (unusualness), though it is less common than the adjective. Your goal is to use the word to add flavor and precision to your descriptions, showing that you can differentiate between what is standard and what is a noteworthy exception.

At the C1 level, you should have a mastery of 'ungewöhnlich' and be able to use it with stylistic flair. You can use it to create specific rhetorical effects. For example, starting a sentence with 'Ungewöhnlich an dieser Situation ist...' (What is unusual about this situation is...) to draw attention to a specific point. You should understand the subtle differences between 'ungewöhnlich' and high-level synonyms like 'exzentrisch', 'absonderlich', or 'atypisch'. You will see 'ungewöhnlich' used in complex academic texts to describe anomalies in data or theory. You should be able to use it in professional negotiations to describe 'ungewöhnliche Bedingungen' (unusual conditions) in a contract. At this level, you are not just using the word to describe things, but to categorize them within a broader context of norms and expectations. You can also use it in more idiomatic or fixed expressions, and your declension should be perfect even in the most complex dative and genitive constructions.

At the C2 level, 'ungewöhnlich' is a word you use with total precision and an awareness of its historical and cultural weight. You can use it in philosophical discussions about the nature of the 'normal'. You might explore the 'Ästhetik des Ungewöhnlichen' (aesthetics of the unusual) in a dissertation or an art critique. You should be able to detect when the word is being used ironically or with a specific cultural subtext. In high-level literature, you might encounter the word in dense, descriptive passages where every adjective is chosen for its specific resonance. You should be able to substitute it with highly specific vocabulary depending on the domain—whether it's 'deviant' in sociology, 'anomalous' in physics, or 'heterodox' in religious studies—but still choose 'ungewöhnlich' when its particular blend of objectivity and surprise is needed. Your usage should reflect a deep understanding of German 'Gewohnheit' (habit/custom) and how 'ungewöhnlich' interacts with that cultural concept.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

ungewöhnlich in 30 Seconds

Ungewöhnlich means unusual or uncommon. It is used to describe things that are not standard or expected in a given situation.
It can function as both an adjective (with endings) and an adverb (without endings) to intensify other adjectives.
The word is generally neutral but can be used for both positive (extraordinary) and slightly negative (strange) contexts.
Commonly used for weather, personality traits, and news events that deviate from the normal routine.

The German adjective ungewöhnlich is a versatile and essential term used to describe anything that deviates from the norm, the expected, or the habitual. At its core, the word is built from the root 'gewöhnlich' (usual, ordinary, common), which stems from 'die Gewohnheit' (the habit). By adding the negative prefix 'un-', the word literally translates to 'un-habitual' or 'not common'. In everyday German, it covers a spectrum of meanings ranging from a neutral observation of rarity to a more emphatic expression of surprise or even admiration. Unlike some synonyms that might carry a negative connotation (like 'komisch' for 'weird'), ungewöhnlich is often descriptive and objective.

Observation: When you notice weather patterns that don't fit the season, such as snow in May, you would call this 'ungewöhnlich'. It signifies a statistical anomaly.
Aesthetic Judgment: In the world of art or fashion, being 'ungewöhnlich' is often a compliment. It suggests that something is unique, avant-garde, or groundbreaking.

People use this word in professional settings to describe market trends, in personal conversations to talk about someone's behavior, and in literature to set a tone of mystery or exceptionalism. It is a 'safe' word because it doesn't immediately judge; it simply states that the situation is not the standard one.

Es ist ungewöhnlich warm für diese Jahreszeit.

This sentence illustrates a very common usage: describing the weather. If you are learning German at the A2 level, this word helps you move beyond simple adjectives like 'gut' or 'schlecht' to provide more specific descriptions of your surroundings. In a psychological context, an 'ungewöhnliches Verhalten' might trigger concern, whereas in a talent show, an 'ungewöhnliches Talent' would trigger excitement. The word is also frequently used as an adverb to intensify other adjectives, similar to 'exceptionally' or 'unusually' in English. For example, 'ungewöhnlich begabt' means unusually gifted.

Ihre Herangehensweise an das Problem war ungewöhnlich kreativ.

Here, it modifies 'kreativ' to show a high degree of creativity. Understanding the nuance of this word requires looking at what is considered 'gewöhnlich' (ordinary) in German culture. Germans value order and predictability in many aspects of public life, so something 'ungewöhnlich' often stands out more sharply than it might in more chaotic environments.

Social Context: If someone arrives at a formal dinner in a tracksuit, that is 'ungewöhnlich'. It breaks the social expectation or 'Gewohnheit'.

Das ist ein ungewöhnlicher Name für einen Hund.

This shows how the word is used for names or labels that are rare.

Ein ungewöhnlich hoher Berg ragte vor uns auf.

In this case, it modifies the adjective 'hoch'.

Seine Ruhe war in diesem Moment sehr ungewöhnlich.

This highlights a personality trait that is out of character. By mastering 'ungewöhnlich', you gain the ability to describe the world with more precision, moving beyond the binary of 'normal' and 'not normal' into the realm of nuanced observation.

Using ungewöhnlich correctly involves understanding its two primary roles: as an adjective modifying a noun and as an adverb modifying an adjective or a verb. As an adjective, it must follow the standard German rules for declension. This means its ending will change based on gender, case, and the type of article (definite, indefinite, or none) preceding it.

Attributive Use (Before a Noun): In the phrase 'ein ungewöhnlicher Vorfall' (an unusual incident), the '-er' ending is used because 'Vorfall' is masculine, and we are using an indefinite article in the nominative case. If it were 'die ungewöhnliche Idee' (the unusual idea), the ending would be '-e' for a feminine noun with a definite article.

Wir haben ein ungewöhnliches Haus am See gesehen.

Here, the neuter ending '-es' is applied.

Predicative Use (After a Verb): When the word follows a verb like 'sein' (to be) or 'bleiben' (to remain), it does not take any endings. This is the simplest way to use it. 'Die Situation ist ungewöhnlich' (The situation is unusual).

Sein Verhalten bleibt weiterhin ungewöhnlich.

This is a very common structure in descriptive writing.

Adverbial Use (Modifying Adjectives): When used as an adverb, 'ungewöhnlich' serves to intensify the following adjective. In this role, it never takes an ending. 'Ein ungewöhnlich schöner Tag' (An unusually beautiful day). Notice that 'schöner' has the ending, but 'ungewöhnlich' does not.

Das Konzert war ungewöhnlich laut.

In this sentence, it modifies the loudness.

Das ist das ungewöhnlichste Buch, das ich je gelesen habe.

This uses the superlative form to emphasize rarity.

Es geschah unter ungewöhnlichen Umständen.

This dative plural form is common in detective stories or news reports. Understanding these patterns allows you to weave 'ungewöhnlich' into complex thoughts effortlessly. Whether you are describing a person's character, a scientific result, or a mundane event that felt slightly 'off', the word provides the necessary descriptive weight. It is especially useful in the 'Präteritum' (past tense) in written stories: 'Es war ein ungewöhnlich kalter Wintermorgen' (It was an unusually cold winter morning). By focusing on the position of the word relative to the noun and the verb, you can avoid the most common grammatical pitfalls associated with German adjectives.

You will encounter ungewöhnlich in a wide variety of contexts in modern Germany, from news broadcasts to casual coffee shop chats. In journalism, it is a staple word used to report on anomalies. Weather reports are perhaps the most frequent source: 'Die Temperaturen sind für den Monat März ungewöhnlich hoch.' (Temperatures are unusually high for the month of March). In political or economic news, you might hear about 'ungewöhnliche Marktschwankungen' (unusual market fluctuations) or 'ungewöhnliche diplomatische Schritte' (unusual diplomatic steps).

In the Arts: Art critics and theater reviewers love this word. It is used to praise innovation without sounding overly biased. 'Die Inszenierung war ungewöhnlich, aber fesselnd' (The production was unusual, but captivating).

Der Film hat eine ungewöhnliche Erzählstruktur.

This describes a movie that doesn't follow a linear plot. In daily life, Germans use it to comment on anything that breaks their routine. If a colleague who is usually very punctual arrives an hour late, someone might say: 'Das ist aber ungewöhnlich für ihn.' (That is unusual for him). It serves as a polite way to notice a change without being accusatory.

Es ist ungewöhnlich, dass wir heute so viel Post bekommen.

This is a typical everyday observation. In scientific and academic German, the word is used to describe data points that fall outside the expected range. Scientists might speak of 'ungewöhnliche Reaktionen' (unusual reactions) in a laboratory setting.

Literature: In novels, authors use 'ungewöhnlich' to build character profiles. A character might have an 'ungewöhnliches Hobby' (unusual hobby) or an 'ungewöhnliches Aussehen' (unusual appearance) to make them stand out to the reader.

Sie besaß eine ungewöhnliche Begabung für Sprachen.

This is a very common way to describe a high level of skill. Even in sports, commentators use it to describe a player's technique or a surprise result in a match. 'Ein ungewöhnlicher Spielzug' (an unusual move) might be the highlight of a game. By paying attention to these different domains, you can see how 'ungewöhnlich' bridges the gap between technical observation and casual commentary, making it a truly indispensable part of the German lexicon.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when using ungewöhnlich is confusing it with its synonyms, particularly 'seltsam', 'komisch', and 'merkwürdig'. While all of these can be translated as 'strange' or 'unusual' in certain contexts, their nuances are quite different.

Confusion with 'Seltsam': 'Seltsam' often implies that something is weird, odd, or even a bit creepy. If you say a person is 'ungewöhnlich', you are stating a fact about their uniqueness. If you say they are 'seltsam', you might be implying that they make you feel uncomfortable.

Falsch: Das Wetter ist heute sehr komisch. (Unless the weather is literally funny/making you laugh).

Richtig: Das Wetter ist heute ungewöhnlich.

Another common error relates to adjective endings. Because 'ungewöhnlich' is a long word, students often forget to add the necessary endings when it's used before a noun.

Adverbial Confusion: When using it as an adverb (e.g., 'unusually fast'), learners sometimes incorrectly add an ending to it. 'Er rennt ungewöhnliche schnell' is incorrect. It should be 'Er rennt ungewöhnlich schnell'. Adverbs in German do not decline.

Falsch: Sie hat eine ungewöhnlich Stimme.

Richtig: Sie hat eine ungewöhnliche Stimme.

In this case, the adjective ending '-e' is needed for the feminine noun 'Stimme'. There is also the risk of overusing 'ungewöhnlich' when more specific words might be better. For instance, if something is truly amazing, 'außergewöhnlich' (extraordinary) or 'hervorragend' (outstanding) might be more appropriate. 'Ungewöhnlich' is more about the deviation from the norm than the quality of the deviation. Finally, pronunciation can be a hurdle. The combination of 'un-', 'ge-', and the 'wö' sound requires practice. Many learners stumble over the 'ö' or forget the hard 'g'. By being mindful of these semantic nuances, grammatical rules, and phonetic challenges, you can use ungewöhnlich with the confidence of a native speaker.

To truly enrich your German vocabulary, it is important to understand the synonyms and alternatives for ungewöhnlich. While 'ungewöhnlich' is a great all-purpose word, choosing a more specific alternative can make your speech or writing more precise.

Außergewöhnlich: This is often used as a stronger version of 'ungewöhnlich'. It translates to 'extraordinary' or 'exceptional'. While 'ungewöhnlich' simply means it's not usual, 'außergewöhnlich' implies it is out of the ordinary in a significant or superior way.

Sein Talent ist außergewöhnlich.

Seltsam / Merkwürdig: These words are closer to 'strange' or 'odd'. 'Merkwürdig' literally means 'worthy of being noted' (merken + würdig), but in modern usage, it mostly means strange. Use these when there is a sense of mystery or slight unease.

Das ist ein merkwürdiges Geräusch.

Sonderbar: This is a slightly more literary or old-fashioned way of saying 'peculiar'. It often describes people or behaviors that are eccentric.

Ein sonderbarer alter Mann wohnte im Wald.

Rar / Selten: If you want to emphasize that something doesn't happen often, 'selten' (rarely) is your best bet. 'Rar' is often used for physical objects that are hard to find, like rare coins.

Solche Gelegenheiten sind selten.

Atypisch: In technical or medical contexts, 'atypisch' (atypical) is used to describe something that doesn't fit the clinical or standard pattern. It is very formal.

Der Krankheitsverlauf war atypisch.

By expanding your range of adjectives, you can describe the world with much more color and nuance. 'Ungewöhnlich' is your starting point, but these alternatives provide the fine-tuning for any situation.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"Die ungewöhnliche Volatilität der Märkte erfordert Vorsicht."

Neutral

"Das ist ein ungewöhnlicher Name."

Informal

"Echt ungewöhnlich, dass du heute so früh bist!"

Child friendly

"Der bunte Vogel sieht ganz ungewöhnlich aus, oder?"

Slang

"Das ist ja mal ein ungewöhnlicher Move von ihm."

Fun Fact

The word 'gewöhnlich' used to have a more positive connotation of 'familiar', but 'ungewöhnlich' has almost always been used to describe the surprising or the strange.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈʊnɡəˌvøːnlɪç/

US /ˈʊnɡəˌvøːnlɪk/

Primary stress is on the first syllable 'un-', secondary stress on 'wöhn'.

Rhymes With

gewöhnlich versöhnlich persönlich unversöhnlich unpersönlich ähnlich vornämlich sächlich

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'un-' like the English 'un' (should be 'oon').
Forgetting the 'g' sound in the middle.
Pronouncing 'ö' like a simple 'o' or 'e'.
Pronouncing 'ch' like 'k' or 'sh'.
Misplacing the stress on 'wöhn' instead of 'un'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize because of the 'un-' prefix and common root.

Writing 3/5

Long word; requires attention to adjective endings.

Speaking 3/5

The 'ö' sound and the length can be tricky for beginners.

Listening 2/5

Distinctive sound makes it easy to pick out in speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

gewöhnlich normal die Gewohnheit un- sein

Learn Next

außergewöhnlich seltsam merkwürdig besonders die Ausnahme

Advanced

absonderlich exzentrisch atypisch heterodox kurios

Grammar to Know

Adjective Declension

Ein ungewöhnlicher Tag (Masculine Nominative).

Adverbial Usage

Er läuft ungewöhnlich schnell (No ending).

Prefix 'un-'

un- + gewöhnlich = opposite.

Comparative/Superlative

ungewöhnlicher, am ungewöhnlichsten.

Nominalization

Das Ungewöhnliche an ihm ist...

Examples by Level

Das ist ungewöhnlich.

That is unusual.

Simple predicative use with 'sein'.

Der Hund ist ungewöhnlich groß.

The dog is unusually large.

Adverbial use modifying 'groß'.

Es ist ungewöhnlich kalt heute.

It is unusually cold today.

Adverbial use modifying 'kalt'.

Ein ungewöhnlicher Name.

An unusual name.

Masculine nominative ending '-er'.

Das ist eine ungewöhnliche Farbe.

That is an unusual color.

Feminine nominative ending '-e'.

Ist das ungewöhnlich?

Is that unusual?

Question form.

Das Kind ist ungewöhnlich ruhig.

The child is unusually quiet.

Adverbial use modifying 'ruhig'.

Ein ungewöhnliches Auto.

An unusual car.

Neuter nominative ending '-es'.

Wir hatten ein ungewöhnliches Wochenende.

We had an unusual weekend.

Neuter accusative ending '-es'.

Sie trägt ein ungewöhnliches Kleid.

She is wearing an unusual dress.

Neuter accusative ending '-es'.

Das ist ungewöhnlich für ihn.

That is unusual for him.

Used with the preposition 'für'.

Er hat eine ungewöhnliche Stimme.

He has an unusual voice.

Feminine accusative ending '-e'.

Wir sahen einen ungewöhnlichen Vogel.

We saw an unusual bird.

Masculine accusative ending '-en'.

Es war ein ungewöhnlich warmer Tag im Winter.

It was an unusually warm day in winter.

Adverbial use modifying 'warmer'.

Diese Frucht schmeckt ungewöhnlich.

This fruit tastes unusual.

Used with the verb 'schmecken'.

Sie hat ungewöhnliche Hobbys.

She has unusual hobbies.

Plural accusative ending '-e'.

Der Vorfall war für die Polizei sehr ungewöhnlich.

The incident was very unusual for the police.

Predicative use with intensifier 'sehr'.

Er besitzt ein ungewöhnlich großes Haus.

He owns an unusually large house.

Adverbial use modifying 'großes'.

In diesem Restaurant gibt es ungewöhnliche Gerichte.

In this restaurant, there are unusual dishes.

Plural nominative/accusative.

Das ist eine ungewöhnlich kluge Entscheidung.

That is an unusually smart decision.

Adverbial use modifying 'kluge'.

Wegen des ungewöhnlich starken Regens blieb ich zu Hause.

Because of the unusually heavy rain, I stayed at home.

Genitive case with 'wegen'.

Sie hat eine ungewöhnlich gute Aussprache.

She has an unusually good pronunciation.

Adverbial use modifying 'gute'.

Das Museum zeigt ungewöhnliche Kunstwerke.

The museum shows unusual artworks.

Plural accusative.

Es ist ungewöhnlich, dass er nicht anruft.

It is unusual that he doesn't call.

Used with a 'dass'-clause.

Die Firma hat ungewöhnliche Methoden zur Problemlösung.

The company has unusual methods for problem-solving.

Plural accusative.

Trotz der ungewöhnlichen Umstände war die Reise erfolgreich.

Despite the unusual circumstances, the trip was successful.

Genitive case with 'trotz'.

Sein Schreibstil ist für einen jungen Autor ungewöhnlich reif.

His writing style is unusually mature for a young author.

Adverbial use modifying 'reif'.

Die ungewöhnlich hohe Inflation bereitet den Menschen Sorgen.

The unusually high inflation is causing people worry.

Adverbial use modifying 'hohe'.

Sie hat eine ungewöhnliche Begabung für Mathematik.

She has an unusual talent for mathematics.

Feminine accusative.

Das Gebäude hat eine ungewöhnliche Architektur.

The building has an unusual architecture.

Feminine accusative.

Es kam zu ungewöhnlichen Verzögerungen im Betriebsablauf.

There were unusual delays in the operational process.

Dative plural with 'zu'.

Sein ungewöhnlicher Humor kommt nicht bei jedem gut an.

His unusual humor is not well received by everyone.

Masculine nominative.

Die ungewöhnliche Dichte der Ereignisse lässt kaum Zeit zum Atmen.

The unusual density of events leaves hardly any time to breathe.

Feminine nominative.

Er vertritt eine ungewöhnliche, aber durchaus plausible Theorie.

He represents an unusual but certainly plausible theory.

Feminine accusative.

Die Verhandlungen verliefen unter ungewöhnlich hohem Zeitdruck.

The negotiations took place under unusually high time pressure.

Adverbial use modifying 'hohem'.

Es ist eine ungewöhnlich präzise Analyse der Marktlage.

It is an unusually precise analysis of the market situation.

Adverbial use modifying 'präzise'.

Die ungewöhnliche Farbwahl des Malers schockierte das Publikum.

The painter's unusual choice of colors shocked the audience.

Feminine nominative.

Das ist ein ungewöhnlich komplexes Thema für eine Talkshow.

That is an unusually complex topic for a talk show.

Adverbial use modifying 'komplexes'.

Sie zeichnet sich durch eine ungewöhnliche Willensstärke aus.

She is characterized by an unusual strength of will.

Feminine accusative with 'durch'.

Der Film besticht durch seine ungewöhnliche Bildsprache.

The film impresses with its unusual visual language.

Feminine accusative.

Die ungewöhnliche Konstellation der Sterne faszinierte die Astronomen.

The unusual constellation of stars fascinated the astronomers.

Feminine nominative.

Seine ungewöhnlich scharfsinnige Kritik ließ keinen Raum für Gegenargumente.

His unusually astute criticism left no room for counterarguments.

Adverbial use modifying 'scharfsinnige'.

Die ungewöhnliche Elastizität des Materials ermöglicht neue Anwendungen.

The unusual elasticity of the material enables new applications.

Feminine nominative.

Es herrscht eine ungewöhnlich angespannte Atmosphäre im Plenarsaal.

There is an unusually tense atmosphere in the plenary hall.

Adverbial use modifying 'angespannte'.

Die ungewöhnliche Heterogenität der Studiengruppe war eine Herausforderung.

The unusual heterogeneity of the study group was a challenge.

Feminine nominative.

Das Werk ist ein ungewöhnlich tiefgründiges Zeugnis seiner Zeit.

The work is an unusually profound testimony of its time.

Adverbial use modifying 'tiefgründiges'.

Die ungewöhnliche Stille im Haus war fast schon unheimlich.

The unusual silence in the house was almost eerie.

Feminine nominative.

Er besitzt die ungewöhnliche Gabe, komplexe Sachverhalte einfach zu erklären.

He possesses the unusual gift of explaining complex matters simply.

Feminine accusative.

Common Collocations

ungewöhnlich hoch

ungewöhnlich warm

ungewöhnlich ruhig

ungewöhnlich früh

ungewöhnlich begabt

ungewöhnliche Umstände

ungewöhnliche Methoden

ungewöhnliche Farbwahl

ungewöhnlich schnell

ungewöhnlich laut

Common Phrases

Das ist aber ungewöhnlich.

— That is quite unusual. Used to express mild surprise.

Du bist heute pünktlich? Das ist aber ungewöhnlich.

Auf ungewöhnliche Weise.

— In an unusual way. Describes a unique method.

Er löste das Rätsel auf ungewöhnliche Weise.

Nichts Ungewöhnliches.

— Nothing unusual. Used when everything is normal.

Ich habe nichts Ungewöhnliches gesehen.

Ungewöhnlich für jemanden sein.

— To be out of character for someone.

Es ist ungewöhnlich für sie, so viel zu reden.

Ein ungewöhnlicher Anblick.

— An unusual sight.

Der Regenbogen in der Nacht war ein ungewöhnlicher Anblick.

In ungewöhnlichem Maße.

— To an unusual degree.

Er ist in ungewöhnlichem Maße fleißig.

Ungewöhnliche Zeiten.

— Unusual times. Often used for crises or changes.

Wir leben in ungewöhnlichen Zeiten.

Eine ungewöhnliche Bitte.

— An unusual request.

Darf ich Ihnen eine ungewöhnliche Bitte stellen?

Ungewöhnliche Talente.

— Unusual talents.

Sie hat viele ungewöhnliche Talente.

Ein ungewöhnliches Schicksal.

— An unusual fate.

Er hatte ein ungewöhnliches Schicksal.

Often Confused With

ungewöhnlich vs seltsam

Seltsam is more 'weird' or 'strange', while ungewöhnlich is more 'uncommon'.

ungewöhnlich vs komisch

Komisch can mean 'funny' or 'weird'; ungewöhnlich is more objective.

ungewöhnlich vs merkwürdig

Merkwürdig implies something is odd and worth noting.

Idioms & Expressions

"Aus dem Rahmen fallen"

— To be out of the ordinary or unusual. Literally: to fall out of the frame.

Dieses Projekt fällt völlig aus dem Rahmen.

neutral

"Ein bunter Hund sein"

— To be very well known because of being unusual or striking. Literally: to be a colorful dog.

In diesem Dorf ist er bekannt wie ein bunter Hund.

informal

"Aus der Reihe tanzen"

— To step out of line or be different from the group. Literally: to dance out of the row.

Er muss immer aus der Reihe tanzen.

informal

"Gegen den Strom schwimmen"

— To go against the grain or be unusual in one's opinions. Literally: to swim against the current.

Sie schwimmt gerne gegen den Strom.

neutral

"Ein Exot sein"

— To be an outsider or something very unusual in a specific context.

Als Vegetarier war er damals ein Exot.

neutral

"Nicht von der Stange sein"

— To be unique or custom-made (not mass-produced). Literally: not from the rack.

Seine Ideen sind nicht von der Stange.

informal

"Ein weißer Rabe sein"

— To be a great rarity. Literally: to be a white raven.

Solche ehrlichen Politiker sind weiße Raben.

literary

"Das Rad neu erfinden"

— To try to do something in an unusual way that is unnecessary. Literally: to reinvent the wheel.

Wir müssen das Rad nicht neu erfinden.

neutral

"Einen Vogel haben"

— To be slightly crazy or unusual in a negative way. Literally: to have a bird.

Du hast wohl einen Vogel!

slang

"Extrawürste verlangen"

— To ask for unusual or special treatment. Literally: to demand extra sausages.

Er verlangt immer Extrawürste.

informal

Easily Confused

ungewöhnlich vs gewöhnlich

Opposite meaning.

Gewöhnlich means usual; ungewöhnlich means unusual.

Das ist ein gewöhnlicher Tag.

ungewöhnlich vs außergewöhnlich

Similar meaning.

Außergewöhnlich is stronger and usually more positive (exceptional).

Sie ist außergewöhnlich talentiert.

ungewöhnlich vs unheimlich

Both start with 'un-'.

Unheimlich means scary or eerie.

Der Wald war unheimlich.

ungewöhnlich vs unmöglich

Both start with 'un-'.

Unmöglich means impossible.

Das ist unmöglich.

ungewöhnlich vs selten

Both describe rarity.

Selten refers to frequency; ungewöhnlich refers to the nature of the thing.

Ich sehe ihn selten.

Sentence Patterns

Das ist [ungewöhnlich].

Das ist ungewöhnlich.

Ein(e) [ungewöhnliche(r/s)] [Noun].

Ein ungewöhnlicher Name.

[Ungewöhnlich] + [Adjective].

Ungewöhnlich warm.

Es ist [ungewöhnlich], dass...

Es ist ungewöhnlich, dass er fehlt.

Unter [ungewöhnlichen] Umständen.

Unter ungewöhnlichen Umständen arbeiten.

Etwas [Ungewöhnliches] tun.

Er hat etwas Ungewöhnliches getan.

In [ungewöhnlichem] Maße.

In ungewöhnlichem Maße erfolgreich.

Die [Ungewöhnlichkeit] einer Sache.

Die Ungewöhnlichkeit der Situation.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

High (common in both speech and writing)

Common Mistakes

Ein ungewöhnlich Tag. → Ein ungewöhnlicher Tag.
The adjective needs an ending when it comes before a noun.
Er rennt ungewöhnliche schnell. → Er rennt ungewöhnlich schnell.
Adverbs modifying other words do not take endings.
Das ist komisch warm. → Das ist ungewöhnlich warm.
'Komisch' means funny or weird; 'ungewöhnlich' is better for weather.
Ich habe eine ungewöhnlich Idee. → Ich habe eine ungewöhnliche Idee.
Feminine accusative needs the '-e' ending.
Es ist ungewöhnlich für mir. → Es ist ungewöhnlich für mich.
'Für' always takes the accusative case.

Tips

No ending for adverbs

When 'ungewöhnlich' describes another adjective (like 'ungewöhnlich schön'), it never gets an ending. Only the second adjective declines.

Use it for weather

This is the perfect word to describe temperatures that are not normal for the season.

The 'un' stress

Remember to stress the 'un-' at the beginning. This is typical for German words with this prefix.

Polite observation

Use 'ungewöhnlich' instead of 'komisch' to sound more objective and professional.

Root word

Learn 'Gewohnheit' (habit) to help you remember 'gewöhnlich' and 'ungewöhnlich'.

News staple

Look for this word in German news headlines; it's used for any surprising event.

Intensifier

Use it instead of 'sehr' to sound more sophisticated. Instead of 'sehr kalt', say 'ungewöhnlich kalt'.

Versus Außergewöhnlich

Use 'ungewöhnlich' for things that are just different, and 'außergewöhnlich' for things that are truly great.

Identify patterns

Look for 'Es ist ungewöhnlich, dass...' in texts to find the main point of a story.

Vary your adjectives

Don't just use 'neu' or 'anders'; 'ungewöhnlich' adds more descriptive power.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'UN-GE-WÖHN-LICH'. 'UN' is not. 'GE-WÖHN' sounds like 'Gown'. If you wear a 'gown' to a football match, it is 'UN-GOWN-LICH' (unusual).

Visual Association

Imagine a bright pink elephant in a grey city. The elephant is 'ungewöhnlich'.

Word Web

normal gewöhnlich üblich ungewöhnlich seltsam rar besonders einzigartig

Challenge

Try to find three things in your room right now that are 'ungewöhnlich' and describe them in German using the correct adjective endings.

Word Origin

Derived from the Middle High German 'gewone' meaning 'customary' or 'usual'. The root 'wöhn' is related to 'wohnen' (to dwell/live), implying that what is usual is where one 'dwells' or feels at home.

Original meaning: Not according to custom or habit.

Germanic

Cultural Context

Calling a person 'ungewöhnlich' is usually safe, but calling their appearance 'seltsam' might be offensive. 'Ungewöhnlich' is the more respectful choice.

In English, we might use 'weird' or 'strange' more often, but 'ungewöhnlich' is closer to 'unusual' or 'out of the ordinary'.

'Der ungewöhnliche Gast' (a common trope in German literature) Scientific reports on 'ungewöhnliche Phänomene' Art exhibitions titled 'Das Ungewöhnliche im Alltag'

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Weather

ungewöhnlich heiß
ungewöhnlich viel Schnee
ungewöhnlich trocken
ungewöhnliche Hitze

Personality

ungewöhnlich still
ungewöhnlich freundlich
ein ungewöhnlicher Typ
ungewöhnliches Verhalten

Art/Design

ungewöhnliche Formen
ungewöhnliche Farben
ein ungewöhnlicher Stil
ungewöhnlich kreativ

News/Events

ungewöhnliche Vorfälle
ungewöhnliche Maßnahmen
ungewöhnliche Ergebnisse
ungewöhnliche Zeiten

Time/Routine

ungewöhnlich spät
ungewöhnlich früh
ungewöhnlich oft
ungewöhnlich lange

Conversation Starters

"Findest du es auch ungewöhnlich, dass es heute so warm ist?"

"Was ist das ungewöhnlichste Essen, das du je probiert hast?"

"Hast du schon mal eine ungewöhnliche Reise gemacht?"

"Ist es ungewöhnlich für dich, am Wochenende früh aufzustehen?"

"Kennst du jemanden mit einem ungewöhnlichen Hobby?"

Journal Prompts

Beschreibe eine ungewöhnliche Situation, die du diese Woche erlebt hast. Warum war sie so anders als sonst?

Wenn du eine ungewöhnliche Superkraft haben könntest, welche wäre das und warum?

Schreibe über ein ungewöhnliches Gebäude in deiner Stadt. Wie sieht es aus?

Warst du schon einmal an einem ungewöhnlichen Ort im Urlaub? Beschreibe deine Eindrücke.

Gibt es eine ungewöhnliche Tradition in deiner Familie? Erzähle davon.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is generally neutral. It simply means 'not usual'. Whether it is good or bad depends on the context. 'Ungewöhnlich begabt' is positive, while 'ungewöhnliche Schmerzen' is negative.

Yes, you can describe a person's behavior or appearance as 'ungewöhnlich'. It is a polite way to say they are unique.

'Unüblich' is more formal and specifically refers to things that are not the standard custom or practice. 'Ungewöhnlich' is broader.

No. If it comes after a verb like 'sein' (Das ist ungewöhnlich) or if it's used as an adverb (ungewöhnlich schnell), it has no ending.

Position your tongue for 'e' (as in 'bed') but round your lips as if saying 'o'.

Yes, it is very common in German, especially in media and descriptive writing.

The noun form is 'die Ungewöhnlichkeit', but it is not used as often as the adjective.

Yes, it is very common as an adverb to intensify other adjectives, like 'ungewöhnlich groß'.

The most direct opposite is 'gewöhnlich' (usual).

Yes, it is considered an A2 level word, though its usage continues through to C2.